What’s off Zyzzyx Road, you ask? We’re going back to explore the structures; until then, here are some photos from the salt flats:

Plus a few from Instagram, featuring Jon:

After Baker we found our way to Rock-A-Hoola/Lake Dolores water park. The photos are few, but I will say this: You know you’ve made it in urbex when you’re chased off property by a trailer-dwelling gentleman and his barking dog.

Our last stop of the day was Daggett Pioneer Cemetery. The juxtaposition of ornately decorated modern graves surrounded by older graves belonging to miners and other townsfolk made for a visually (and historically!) interesting afternoon.

It’s challenging to find gobs of information online about Arne’s Royal Hawaiian Motel in Baker, CA.

A recent real estate listing states that the expansive property was an active motel from 1957 through 2009. Progressive photos and videos posted online show a noticable decline in upkeep since the property last sheltered a registered guest, however everything about the place — from the peeling palms painted on the side of the main structure to the waterless pool dominating the concrete courtyard — still suggests a carefree vacation on California desert soil.

Not long ago Jon and I visited Baker to stock up on delicious Alien Jerky. It turns out we were the aliens, traveling through space and time and ending up here…

I developed a deep fascination with the multitude of old chairs strewn about the place.

Bunny in the pool.

Before ’50 Shades of Grey’ we had ‘Jailbait & The Studs’, copyright 1983.

After Jon and I visited Cima, CA, we made our way to Kelso. This ghost town also has active railway tracks running through it, and attracted far more tourists than our previous stop had.

We checked out some old west exhibits at the museum and were hoping to find some chow at the depot’s restaurant, but alas, it’s closed until further notice. A dozen or so random people wandered around the area surrounding the depot/museum and the abandoned post office across the street.

Yup, it’s an old post office.

Upon closer inspection, we discovered that the post office’s two large front windows served as a mass grave for unfortunate birds and insects.

On an old hearth next to the post office.

After playing post office, we decided to double back and visit an abandoned house we saw just down the road.

The front porch.

The small amount of graffiti on the walls was actually rather pleasant.

All the best things: broken windows, old doors, peeling wallpaper, and a ceiling that now serves as a floor.

I a-door this room.

The Fates

I was happy to see so much silly, vintage wallpaper still stubbornly clinging to the walls.

A surprisingly colorful view from the back room.

The only person who approached us during our shenanigans was a park ranger who wanted to make sure we weren’t causing trouble. We asked her about local cemeteries (as we hadn’t seen any in Cima or Kelso). She told us she had heard of one where Chinese immigrants who built the railroad were buried, but she didn’t know where it was exactly. I suspect this may be the one she was talking about. I know where I’ll be creepin’ next time I’m in Kelso!